Utah rally fells UCI

SALT LAKE CITY — The UC Irvine men’s basketball team led host Utah, 56-43 with 10:28 remaining in the game, but was overcome down the stretch as the Utes prevailed, 78-66, in the nonconference game at the Huntsman Center Saturday.

The Anteaters used four of their 13 three-pointers to put together a 15-5 run to open the second half, turning a 31-28 halftime deficit into a 43-36 lead.

UCI made 13 of 22 three-point tries (59.1%) including eight of 12 after intermission, led by junior guard Brett Lauer (three for three), senior center Darren Fells (two for two) and junior forward Kevin Bland (two for three). Seven Anteaters converted from beyond the arc.

Utah used a 15-1 run to take a 60-57 advantage with 6:32 left, but two Bland foul shots put UCI up, 63-62 with 4:01 remaining.

The Utes (4-2) then scored 14 straight points to claim the win, extending the losing streak to four for UCI (2-5).

Bland led the Anteaters with 14 points, while Fells, making his first start this season, added 13.

Senior forward Patrick Sanders had seven points and a team-high five rebounds.

Nonconference

Utah 78, UC Irvine 66

UCI – Bland 14, Sanders 7, Fells 13, Lauer 9, Hunter 8, Awaji 9, DeCasas 3, Harris 3.

3-pt. goals – Lauer 3, Fells 2, Bland 2, Hunter 2, Sanders 1, DeCasas 1, Harris 1.

Fouled out - Awaji.

Utah – Green 12, Nevill 11, Borha 24, Brown 12, Kepkay 4, Bryant 11, Drci 2, Tillie 2.

3-pt. goals – Bora 3, Bryant 1.

Halftime – Utah, 31-28.